Richmond residents shape plans for recreation center

November 7, 2013

By

CATHERINE M. HEWITT

RICHMOND â In a public workshop Monday night, about 75 Richmond residents took the opportunity to talk about what they would like to see in the townâs future recreation center that will be located on 47-acre site near Stop & Shop and the future Richmond Commons development. Listening to the residents were 15 landscape architecture students from University of Rhode Island (URI) who whose task it is create designs for the future facility based on the desires of Richmond denizens.

In addition to the workshop, residents have filled out surveys online, which are still available (go to at www.richmondri.com and click on âRec. Needs Assessment Surveyâ).

State Representative Larry Valencia said he was pleased to see such strong public interest in the project.
âThereâs a tremendous turnout and thereâs also people who have been doing this online,â he said.
âIâm excited about this. I hope some of the plans they come up with will be usable things â a community center, a senior center â whatever it is that the residents want,â he added.

Town Council President Joe Reddish said he thought it was very positive that a high number of Richmond residents came out to hear the presentation and give their input. He was also impressed with the URI studentsâ presentations.

âThe URI Students are doing a great job. I look forward to seeing what the results are,â he said.